Whether it is a sink clogged in the kitchen or bathroom, or a toilet is misbehaving, reaching for the plunger is common practice to free the plumbing lines of obstructions and allow for proper drainage. As few people even realize, severe pipe damage, resulting in the need for professional assistance for expensive repairs can be caused by incorrect plunging techniques. To ensure appropriate application, people trying to emulate what they see isn’t always enough, especially since many plunging techniques are not always correctly executed. To help you avoid more problems and ensure you are effectively plunging, we at M&C Orsack Plumbing Contractor would like to share the dos and don’ts of plunging.
Pre-Plunging Dos and Don’ts
Before you grab the plunger, there are a few things that you should do first, and a few things you should simply avoid. Check out the dos and don’ts of pre-plunging.
Do – Utilize biodegradable drain cleaner to treat the drain prior to plunging. These boosted drain cleaners may be enough the free the obstructions, but if necessary, it will contribute to freely dislodging the clog.
Do – Inspect for signs of soap scum buildup or hair that is creating the clog. Evaluate the strainer. To remove it, twist the stopper counterclockwise and pull it. Clean the stopper and/or drainer well before re-asserting it back into the drain and make certain to twist the wire and pull up any debris.
Do – Add a tablespoon of mild liquid dishwashing soap in a large pot of boiling water. To flush the drain, use hot soapy water. This method is particularly exceptional for clogs near the garbage disposal since grease could be clogging the drain passageways. As you pour the boiling soapy water down the drain, check to see if the clog was effectively removed.
Don’t – Never use caustic chemicals to help you unclog the drain. To you and your family and it will likely cause undo damage to your pipelines, commercial chemical drain openers can be a potential hazard.
Plunging Dos and Don’ts
For your plunging techniques, below are the dos and don’ts.
Don’t – To plunge the obstructions, never use excessive pressure and force. Damaged drain line connections and traps can be the result of too much pressure and excessive force.
Don’t – Should you have opted to use chemical drain cleaner, do not use the plunger. Skin can be chemically burned if it splashes on your skin.
Do – Do use a plumber’s snake if plunging remains ineffective. After you meet resistance in the drain you have found the clog. Just continue to crank and rotate the auger to clear out the clog once you find the clog.
Do – Use the plunger as you position it over the drain and firmly plunge down and up several consecutive times, block the overflow drain with a wet cloth. Lift the plunger upward and out on the last plunge with a little extra strength.
Drain Cleaning, Unclogging & More in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
Call M&C Orsack Plumbing Contractor and let our qualified plumbers get your drain performing efficiently if you are having a hard time with a clogged drain.
